Why?
Once it is up and running with TMo that opens the door for connection with other carriers.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Kuo: Apple Has Completed Hardware Tests for iPhone 14 Satellite Connectivity, But Launch Depends on Partners
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Why?
Once it is up and running with TMo that opens the door for connection with other carriers.
Kind of WiFi/5G/SAT connectivity where SAT is last with an associated limited data package.
Good initial step IMO.
I can't wait. My family wanted to buy me an expensive Garmin GPS tracker so they could follow me or keep in context while I was backpacking through South America. Now it looks like they won't need to 😱
The articles discussing it have all mentioned messaging features, but I would think that this would include tracing features as well - so I could share my location with FindMy anywhere I am - even if I'm out of cell range on a hike... or somewhere in South America
Coming soon to select areas in South America by 2030 ….
You’re just playing semantics here. Hopefully you’ll be able to use this feature to call for help if you ever fall from that high horse you sit upon.
Well, clearly there are a number of people in this thread who care because they've stated they want to bring an iPhone, in lieu of a PLB, on backpacking trips because of this rumored gimmick/feature.
My points are valid. An iPhone is not a replacement for a PLB. Do you have a point??
Looks like it will be a US only feature at least initially when it launches.
I'm kind of surprised that Apple doesn't just launch their own satellites.
Most likely not, because my regular sat phone also doesn't. Then if it relies on the Globalstar network, there will be lacks of connectivity in the center between continents (oceans), because of the maximum distance between the LEO satellites and the ground stations.
I’ve been wondering for a while if Apple should just get its own satellite system and try to offer its own cellular service plan. They could vertically integrate and cut out the carriers, have special data plans tailored for “all your Apple devices”, and get into a business with that recurring revenue model they love so much. Plus it would be an absolutely massive growth opportunity even for a trillion dollar compant, thus justifying the insane costs to Apple. It’s kind of crazy but if anyone can pull it off Apple can.
Why would you want the Gubberment to screw this up???
You know that they would want to include mandatory tracking (only to find you if you're lost, don'tchaknow/ sark off).
"Satellite connectivity" is literally just reliant on the satellite. The phone will just see it as a cell signal.
If there’s anything that absolutely needs to be dependent on governments it’s ground-to-space launches and satellite operations. Even now the oversight is a little anemic (see: spacex’s gen 1 starlink issues with nav and astronomy). Why would you *not* want government oversight on space operations?
You're just uninformed and not up to speed on previous reports on this. Nothing more. You coming up with your fantasy version doesn't change anything. This is what the internet has taught people, that their made up opinions are equally as valid as actual information.
Go ahead, point us to a report on exactly what Apple’s work on satellite connectivity is.
Oh wait, even the very basis of this thread says we don’t know because we don’t know what kind of agreements are on the table between Apple and providers.
Okay, so we don’t know what the software based features will be, so let’s move on. Show us what hardware Apple is using in the iPhone 13 (whoops that was the speculation of last year), er, I guess 14 now for satellite connectivity. Oh look, we don’t know that either.
So what exactly do we actually know about what Apple is planning here? Nothing.
Have a nice day.
Most of the areas I go don’t have cell signal. Such as this spot. Top of a mountain and no signal.
Attachments
What I'm not clear about is whether it'd be only available to US iPhone buyers (who can then use it while traveling around the world bc it's a global satellite system), or if it's available to ALL iPhone users but only when within the boundaries of the US?
Focusing entirely on the topic at hand, the point is that an iPhone with satellite location and messaging features CAN be a replacement for a PLB in some (not all) circumstances.
If I want to be in the wilderness for multiple days, if I'm going to be in very cold weather/high altitudes, if I'm relying on it for more than a nice-to-have, then yes I'd probably still want a PLB. But those who might otherwise consider a PLB for lighter weight use cases, such as a day-hike, car camping, traveling through rural areas with low signal, sharing their location with family for fun, etc. may likely prefer to use the features that they already own and carry with them everyday. Some will choose this in place of a PLB, and many others will get these features who never even considered a PLB or maybe even know what one is.
This will give access to useful services to MANY more people, giving them more options to suit more use cases - which is great. However, there's also a valid concern that some may rely too much on these features (as they overly on their phones already) which could put them in danger when it fails. I think there's an education component to this that the outdoors community (and perhaps Apple) should stay vigilant on, but ultimately I'd expect that this will save and enrich far more lives than anything else.
If only they got lost in a blackhole and never to be on youtube again...
You've used a cell phone before, right? If so, you know how dumb "it's just a cell phone tower... but in space... of course it works" sounds.
And yet we've had cellphones for HOW long without this, and it's been just fine? You can always pay the big $'s for a satellite phone if you have the true need for it.
Don't get me wrong... this is a nice feature to roll out. But I don't want to see government mandating yet one more thing that will eventually just wind up obsolete anyway. I'm fine with the carriers negotiating their own plans to offer this to people, really.
I thought I was continuing on without you?? I guess you couldn't resist. 😜
Casual users don't buy PLBs. They are expensive and the yearly service cost is significant enough to deter most, if not all, causal buyers. People aren't buying PLBs for day hikes or car camping or traveling through areas with spotty cell service. I mean, sure, there might be a few people who are so totally wracked with fear (we see more and more of that these days) that they splurge on a PLB for a day hike, but I'd argue that money would be waaaaay better spent on a therapist.
I'm not knocking the satellite feature. It's a welcome one. But (almost) no one who is in the market for a PLB should think the iPhone is "good enough". If you truly need a PLB, you need a device that is rugged, durable, and doesn't have a screen that can shatter and render it inoperable. You need a device with user replaceable batteries that can handle cold weather and high altitude, that floats when it lands in the water, etc. This is common sense.
I have no argument with your assertion that the satellite feature will "give access to useful services to MANY more people." Satellite connectivity will be great in emergencies, during natural disasters, etc. I'm simply arguing that if you *truly* need a PLB, you shouldn't be an idiot and think the iPhone has you covered. There are too many potential points of failure for it to be considered a suitable replacement for a PLB.
Last edited: